One area that I plan to cover more frequently in the future is books. Specifically, books that are relevant to self improvement. I have my own favorites of course, but before I start spouting opinions I want find out what books others have found worth reading.
- What books have influenced your thought the most?
- What books have changed your life?
- What books do you strongly recommend to others?
I’m really interested in the results. This should be great for building a killer reading list.
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I highly recommend “How to win friends and influence people” by Dale Carnegie. It’s a must read for everyone!
Hi John
One of my favourite self-improvement books is First Things First, by Stephen Covey.
I reviewed it as a guest post on Brett’s Blog. http://brettduncan.wordpress.com/2007/06/14/first-things-first-guest-post-by-bruce-clarke/
Looking forward to seeing what other books your readers recommend.
BC
I found “The monk who sold his ferrari” by Robin S. Sharma very influencial. Lots of good motivating techniques and a good read
Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution. It opened my eyes to what I was eating, and I lost over 120 lbs. It changed my life in ways you can’t imagine.
“Are you ready to succeed?” by Srikumar S. Rao. It has completely altered my perspective on life’s priorities.
“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill has given me a beginning mindset to adopt for a life changing attitude towards life,
but “Leading the revolution” by Gary Hamel, has helped me discovered what i want to become and the kind of mindset to grow into.
Mastery by George Leonard–it’s the book to start with.
Losing my Virginity – The Richard Branson Autobiography. It’s absolutely fantastic!
The new edition of Maxwell Maltz’s Psycho-Cybernetics is amazing. Also, Robert Maurer’s Kaizen: One Small Step Can Change Your Life lives up to its title. Both absolutely required reading. Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman is very practical, as well. Optimism is a bulletproof vest for life.
Check my posts Small: the Word That Will Change Your Life and How to Be Happy in 10 Seconds Flat for more on Maurer and Seligman’s books, respectively.
Jack Canfield edited a fascinating book called You’ve Got To Read This Book! that asks a bunch of successful people what book was most influential in making them who they are today. Kind of a meta-self-help book.
Great thread!
I travel for a living (as a corporate efficiency consultant) and have two books that I carry with me everywhere for a constant source of inspiration and motivation: “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand and “The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield. (Thank goodness Canfield’s book is now in paperback so I don’t have to carry the hardcover around anymore!)
Flowers for Algernon – it’s the one book that’s never lost its power for me even during the third and fourth re-readings. I’ve never met anybody who didn’t feel the same way I do.
Read it!
P.S. Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan is another one of my favorites. If you’re up for a good play, try him. G.B. Shaw is another great playwright, very similar to Wilde in his satirical tendencies and liking for mocking the social conventions and romantic ideals we hold.
It’s not really a self-help book, but “Walden” by Thoreau really got me thinking, and had a big effect on my life. Following in the same vein, so did “Your Money or Your Life,” “Voluntary Simplicity,” “Living More with Less,” and “Small is Beautiful.” There are others, but these were some of the most important for really getting me thinking.
So many books!
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron – If you are interested in finding out more about yourself and your creative potential.
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman- Great story on what could happen when you are in tune with the Universe. Easy to read, not preachy.
Seven Spiriual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra – Excellent introduction to spirituality for your life.
Those were my life changing books.
In Spirit,
Nneka
My favorite book ever is Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. There are so many different aspects of the human condition portrayed in this book that it can’t help but influence the way you think and react to people. It’s a difficult read, but it’s so worth it.
This book may not be available anymore, but I value it beyond anything else I’ve ever read…..Success Cybernetics by U.S. Andersen. It was published in 1964.
It is the best success book ever written and besides the great ideas, it is written with humor. (I use it as a benchmark from my writings on my blog)
Here’s a brief sample…
(referring to past president ‘ Silent Calvin Coolridge)
“he attended a two hour sermon in church, and somebody asked him what it was all about. Cal answered, “Sin”. Then he was asked what the preacher had to say about it? Old Silent Cal answered, “He was against it.”
Brilliant! If you can find it, buy it and you I promise you won’t be sorry.
I highly second the “Think and grow rich” and “How to win friends…” mentioned in earlier comments. In addition to those two, here are my Top recommended business books – and I have read hundreds!
1. The Art of Dealing with People by Les Giblin
2. Bringing out the Best in People by Alan McGinnis
3. The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz
4. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
5. What to Say When you Talk to Yourself by Shad Helmstetter
6. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
7. Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen
8. How I Raised Myself From Failure To Success Thru Selling by Frank Bettger
9. and 10. are the 2 books previously commented upon.
As a note about these books, I find them to be the best in my own mind because they taught me more about the vital PEOPLE skills necessary to succeed, as well as helped to create a success mentality in me – that kind of tenaciousness required to really make it in the business world, without hurting others. Enjoy! And Thanks for doing this list… I always like to see what other people are reading.
I’ve not read it yet but I understand the new Kiyosaki/Trump book called “We Want You to Be Rich” is really quite good.
The Great Divorce by CS Lewis (nothing to do with divorce, by the way)
From Sabotage to Success by Sheri O Zampelli
Facing Codependence by Pia Mellody
I love these people for having thrown themselves into writing these books.
I’m not too much for Self-help books, but “On Bullshit” by HG Frankfurt is rather high on my list of favorites. I find books which stimulate the mind are always a good thing. (Ones that make you want to have random philosophical conversations with people)
Thanks for all the great suggestions so far!
Jenn — I love “Walden” too, and although it isn’t technically ’self help’ in my opinion any book that teaches you something can be considered self improvement. Plus I intended the thread to be for all great books, regardless of genre.
“Getting things done” from David Allen is changing my life right now and for the best.
The book “Marketing without advertising” from Michael Phillips and Salli Rasberry has been a trigger for my professional life.
And I think that “Accelerated Learning for the 21th Century” from Colin Rose and Malcolm Nicholl is a “must-read” for every one. Who knows the evolution of her profession in a world changing at an ever-accelerating pace. I think that the ability to learn better and faster is the most important skill to attain right now.
Keep going!
Laurent
South Bronx Rising by Jill Jonnes – provides a well-written mix of the Bronx’ history with in-depth research regarding the causes of urban blight. I think it is important reading because urban blight in America didn’t just happen – cities don’t inherently destroy themselves – many of the problems were the result of complex political issues and poorly though out government policies.
The Power of Now and A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle are awesome and contain insights that could really change how you view and live your life.
“Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” by Robert M. Pirsig may have the unfortunate side effect of making you want to buy a motorcycle and drive across Montana but it also teaches you to be conscious of the ways you think about things and why, in particular the nature of value.
Other good ones that will help stimulate critical thinking about your own beliefs, which in my opinion is the state you need to be in to be open to improvement:
“On Liberty” by John Stuart Mill
“Thus Spoke Zarathustra” by Friedrich Nietzsche
I read 50 nonfiction books a month. I am HIGHLY critical of books. Most books are bullshit, especially in the success and self-help genres. There are very few I can recommend. So far, the good ones I’ve read are:
Success/Self-Help
Succeeding by John T. Reed
7 Tools to Beat Addiction by Stanton Peele
The Worry Cure by Robert Leahy
Finance
The Penny-Pinching Hedonist by Shel Horowitz
Making the Most of Your Money by Jane Bryant Quinn
The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing
Other
Innumeracy by John Allen Paulos
A History of Rock Music, 1951-2000 by Piero Scaruffi
The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman
Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Explaining English Grammar by George Yule
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert
Freakonomics by Steven Levitt, Stephen Dubner
Your Money or Your Life is good, but I read it only after coming to all the same conclusions myself.
Getting Things Done is good, but there’s no reason to read the book when you can read an “Intro to GTD” blog post somewhere.
I am highly suspicious of people who recommend books like “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” and “Your Best Life Now” and “How to Get Rich Quick and Be Totally Happy with My Secrets to Success That Nobody Else Knows (so you Must Buy My Book Now).”
Atlas Shurgged – by Ayn Rand
Snowcrash – by Neal Stephenson
Great idea on this reading list.
I suggest . . . .
Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, by David Gregory
Screwtape Letters, by CS Lewis
Free Prize Inside, by Seth Godin
Wow.. what a great list this is turning to be.. I’ll have to copy it and add stuff from it to my book wish list! Will you make a wrap-up of it?
My own personal favorites (though I probably will forget some), and I think they answer all your three questions at the same time, include:
- a number of Paulo Coelho books, but the best one is: The Alchemist
- followed by also from Paule Coelho: Veronika decides to die, and By the river Piedra, I sat down and wept.
- John Gottman – The Heart of Parenting
- definitely Steven Covey’s books
- The Taoh of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff
At this moment, I’m reading some books on Mindfulness (e.g. by David Richo), which are definitely having their impact..
Hey!
I found “The Greatness Guide” by Robin Sharma a very book. Its filled with powerful ideas that can transform your life. He has also written “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” but I found the former better.
Two titles that are worth reading that generally deal with wealth building and the human mindset
The Richest Man in Babylon, by George Classen
The One Minute Millionaire, Robert G Allen
The Power of Your Subconsciuous Mind
by Dr. Joseph Murphy
On Leadership, by John W. Gardner, an all-time classic.
Leadership Without Power and Leadership Jazz, two by Max DePree
Management of the Absurd, by Richard Farson
The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield
The Bible
Eckhart Tolle – A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
Don Miguel Ruiz – The Four Agreements
James C. Hunter – he Servant: A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership
The Art of Happiness – The Dalai Lama
anything by ayn rand
1. The Bible
2. What Colour Is Your Parachute? Richard N. Bolles
3. Zen and the Art of Making A livng Laurence Boldt
4. The 8th Habit Stephen R. Covey
Here is my modest contribution:
Between Parent and Child, Haim Ginott
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
(Both of the above titles have ideas and lessons that just don’t apply to talking to and with childre)
Learned Optimism, Martin Seligman
The optimistic child, Martin Seligman
What you can and can’t change, Martin Seligman
Authentic happiness, Martin Seligman
A Primer in Positive Psychology, Christopher Peterson
Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths, C. R. Snyder & S J Lopez.
(The above titles show that “Positive Psychology” is more than just being happy in one’s life)
I’ll also give a big thumbs up to
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
and the Steven Covey books (7 Habits etc)
and one last title off the top of my head
The post-baby conversation : what new parents need to say to each other, Alison Osborne
(for the parents of young children)
Thanks,
Ben
“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Rich” is a very good book about personal finance and explains why you don’t have to earn a lot to be rich.
I highly recommend:
The five major pieces to the life puzzle
by Jim Rohn
If you don’t know Jim Rohn then make the time to look him up. He is one of the greatest life philosophers out there.
His principles are timeless.
Andrew
Favorite book is QED by Richard P. Feynman the strange theory of light and matter. I’ve read it many times still can’t get my head completely around it. Then according to the author I’m not supposed to. One of the best books I’ve found for the layperson to start understanding quantum electrodynamics.
Cart
One of the most uplifting books I have read is “River out of Eden” by Richard Dawkins. I thought I “knew” about evolution, but Dawkins explained my world to me for the first time in a way that made it clear, wonderful, complex, connected and beautiful. A full understanding of our world puts everything else into perspective. A delight to read, almost like literature of science. A far better read, in my view, than Covey and other books that rehash and reorder long established truths.
Another good read was The Mind and the Brain by Jeffrey Schwartz. It gives us a hint at how our will can help us learn.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is one of the most inspiring book I’ve read.
I’m not big on self-help books, so most of the stuff I read are feel-good fictions.
Honestly there are so many good books on the above list and I know I am a little bit late in the game, but there are three small books that I reread again and again for inspiration and to help me focus and “help myself”
the Tao Te Ching
The Bagavhad Gita
and the pocket book version of “The Art of Peace” by Morihei Ueshiba.
all three have timeless wisdom. All three are in small and pocket print versions, so you can fit them anywhere. and All three can help you with deep thoughts to change your life.
Well – I found two books to look into on this list and didn’t see my ‘life-changing’ books.
Magical Child by Joseph Chilton Pearce – this is an IMPORTANT book and not only for parents.
Handbook to Higher Consciousness by Ken Keyes
Flow by Milhali Csikszentmihalyi – grandfather of positive pychology
Stranger in a Strange Land – Robert Heinlein
Santiago by Mike Resnik
A Theory of Justice by John Rawls
Enjoy
The Road Less Travelled by M. Scott Peck
Some excellent suggestions. It would be great if someone can summarise it and tally it up for easier reading.
I am reading two books which I am loving at the moment.
- Getting Things Done by David Allen. You really need to buy the book to understand it fully. Allen’s whole method of staying organised is groundbreaking, at least for me..
- A classic. Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason. Some great stories in there to drive home the lesson of saving, careful spending and careful investments.
I also vouch for some of the great books mentioned before.
- 9 Habbits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Self-help or Personal Development books have been the most helpful during tough times. Some of the life-changing books, that instilled a new faith in me, are:
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Dr. Joseph Murphy
Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Spencer Johnson
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Master Key System by Charles F. Haanel
These books are a must read!
Mind you, this is not mind candy…
The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bi-Cameral Mind by Julian Janyes
“When Julian Jaynes…speculates that until late in the second millennium B.C. men had no consciousness but were automatically obeying the voices of gods, we are astounded but compelled to follow this remarkable thesis through all the corroborative evidence…”
- John Updike, in The New Yorker
Great list, I’m going to compile all of these into a post for next week.
I think everyone has covered the self-help type stuff so I’ll go with my favorite fiction. These two books are the ones that I recommend to anyone and they always come back and rave.
A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Thanks for the suggestions. I’m a big fan of Orson Scott Card myself. I’m going to organize this list into a post and add all the relevant links this weekend, so the whole thing should be much easier to navigate.
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My first spiritual book:
The Key and the name of the key is willingness by Cheri Huber
The book that changed my life:
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
My favorite spiritual book:
The Wine of the Mystic by Paramahansa Yogananda
Happiness is an Inside Job by Sylvia Boorstein
Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana
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Happiness from Tal Ben Sahar.
Great read, simple and true, based on scientific research. Kind of in the lines of Malcolm Gladwel.
Give it a go.
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Two of the best fictional books I’ve ever read are The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Housseini. They are brilliant works of fiction – well-written, touching, and have the ability to draw you into the characters’ worlds.
As for self-help books, well, the book that changed my life was Kevin Trudeau’s “Natural Cures THEY Don’t Want You to Know About.” After I read that, I stopped eating most of the food from your average supermarket, excepting of course healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits, and turned to organic foods.
The book obviously made a huge impact on my life, and I’ve kept in excellent health since reading it. I recommend it to all of you.